Mourinho reacts to Rodri’s move to Barcelona
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has revealed the reasons behind Rodri’s decision to snub the club to join rivals Barcelona.
Real Madrid were in the pole position to sign Rodri before Barcelona stole a march on them to complete the deal on Tuesday.
Mourinho confirmed he spoke to Rodri about a move to Real Madrid but the Spanish national team captain had doubts about joining the capital club.
He said: “I spoke with [Rodri] a couple of times. Real Madrid made him a very good offer. I think the relationship between Real Madrid and City is very good. The club made him an important offer. Rodri had doubts, he doubted, and I think what happened is that the doubts Rodri had, gave me doubts.
“He’s an extraordinary player. But I think Real Madrid are so big that we can’t have players who think twice. That’s the concept. But he behaved properly with us, and I wish him well.”
Mourinho was officially unveiled as the club’s new coach after signing a three-year deal.
Read Also: Why I joined Barcelona ahead of Real Madrid –Rodri
The Portuguese said the players are ready to end the club’s two-year trophy drought while heaping praises on Kylian Mbappe.
He said: “I’ve found a dressing room with a lot of will to win. I’ve found an open dressing room, with common sense. From the first day, I haven’t had any chance to be an aggressive leader — which I can be — because they’ve protected me from that version [of myself]. Their behaviour has been beyond reproach.”
“[Kylian] Mbappé is incredible. He’s a player with a level that’s out of this world. Last season was a strange season, difficult for everyone, Xabi and Álvaro paid the price. But winning or losing is a multi-factor. I don’t accept that the blame is just for a few [people]. A lot of people failed last year.”
Mourinho was last in charge at the Bernabéu between 2010 and 2013 and he has brought in the likes of Marc Cucurella, Yan Diomande, Bernardo Silva, Ibrahima Konaté, Denzel Dumfries and Carlos Espí to kick off his second spell in Madrid.
Real Madrid will open their 2026-27 campaign against Espanyol on Saturday as they aim to wrestle the La Liga title from Barcelona.
